It seems that everyone I have encountered recently, from
middle school students to middle aged adults, are in the midst of existential
crisis. Perhaps it is the instability of our economy that has everyone
re-evaluating their lives, or maybe it is the dawning of the realization that
we are facing a seismic cultural shift. Whenever I have mentored those in the
middle of struggle I try to frame the discussion in the context of their divine
calling.
I believe that God has a divine calling for each of us. I believe
there is a life of significance that we are called to and that, no matter what
your age, it is continually being revealed. I believe that our life is one
continuous spiritual journey and not a single decision or destination. Even
when we go astray, God is calling us back to re-make us and re-shape. I believe
you have a divine calling. I believe that the divine calling is revealed
through careful study of scripture and yourself, it is revealed in the context
of Christian community, and that it is revealed over time.
Your divine calling is revealed through careful study of
scripture and yourself. Spending time in scripture allows you to be open to the
very voice of God. Whenever I teach young people about their divine calling I
am careful to explain that whatever God calls you to it will be consistent with
the text. That God will not call us to a life that is incompatible with
Christian teaching. I know that reading the Bible seems so obvious, but that
does not mean that it isn’t essential to revealing your divine calling. If you
really want to discover your calling, make a habit to spend a few moments in
dedicated and focuses scripture study each day.
In addition to studying the scripture, I also believe that
to understand your calling you have to do a realistic self-study. Now, I’m not
talking about narcissistic navel gazing, I’m talking about a real discover of
what your strengths and weaknesses are. Maybe pick up a copy of Strength
Finder, read the book and take the online assessment. I agree with Marcus
Buckingham that our culture focuses far too much time on our weaknesses when we
should spend more time building on our strengths. Your strengths are part of
your God-given gift mix as well as part of your divine calling. Scripture is
full of people who understood themselves (and quite a few who didn’t but that’s
a different lesson), like Paul who in 2 Corinthians admitted that he had a
“thorn in the flesh” but that God provided the strength to move beyond it and
use his strengths to serve the kingdom.
Your divine calling is revealed in the context of Christian
community. There is no such thing as a solo-Christian. Christians are formed by
community, Christians are called by community. Often people will see in you
gifts and strengths (not to mention weaknesses) that you will not be able to
see. You divine calling will emerge as you are in fellowship and study with a
body of believers. This should include three types of community. It should
include corporate worship, being with the whole body of believers. It should
include a small group of believers who will hold you accountable to be faithful
to your spiritual journey, and it should include a group of believers that you
serve with. By serving I mean using whatever part of your divine calling and
gifts you have already discovered and use them to serve God. Whether it is
feeding the hungry, greeting at the door of worship or making a joyful noise
through music, use what you already to have to discover where God wants you to
go next!
Your divine calling is revealed over time…it’s not instant.
Our culture values instant gratification, often at the cost of quality. Your
divine calling is not Easy Mac! It will probably not come in one shining moment
of inspiration but slowly over time. The biblical writer admitted that often we
“see through a glass darkly,” we cannot see nor can we conceive what God has
next for us. Often that is because we would be unable to bear the divine
calling that God has for us, there must be a time of preparation before there
is a time of seizing. Once again, your divine calling is a spiritual journey,
not a single destination. You will never have arrived; God always has more for
you if you will continue to heed the calling. A look again at the scripture
reveals that most of the leaders in the text spent years, often forty or more,
before they realized even part of what God had for them. Seizing your divine
calling always requires a season of maturation prior to it becoming integrated
into who God has called you to be.
Your divine calling is more about significance than success.
Your divine calling will not be measured by your 401K, your investment
accounts, or your checkbook balance. There are a lot of people who measured
their lives by these things and put all of their faith in earthly vessels, only
to watch them disappear overnight. History teaches us that some of the most
significant people, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Jesus, had very little by earthly standards but led lives of incredible
significance. It is reminiscent of Mark 8 where Jesus asks, “What is it to gain
the whole world and lose your soul?” Your divine calling may never be your
vocation, it may not be your job, but it can be your calling.
Lastly, I believe that one of the greatest sins is to deny
your divine calling. Even if it is costly, even if it demands something of you,
even if it calls you to a place where you are not comfortable, do not deny your
calling. It is God’s best and highest for your life. It is where God wants to
bless you more than you can ever ask or think, pressed down and running over.
You have a divine call, the question is, will you answer?
Marty
Gracious God who calls us, give us the courage and the
strength to answer. In the name of the One who answered a call, suffered a
cross, and paid the price for our calling, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
